Congressional Record: September 7, 2011

         HONORING THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

         HON. BARBARA LEE

         of California

         in the house of representatives

         Wednesday, September 7, 2011

    Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the League of Women
Voters of Berkeley, who are celebrating 100 years of women voting in
California, starting with the historic and narrowly won California
State referendum and the first California Civic League, Berkeley Forum
led by Miss Blanche Morse in 1911. It is an immense honor to represent
Bay Area communities who have truly been at the forefront of a
century's worth of major achievements in social justice.
    Over the years, what is now the League of Women Voters of Berkeley/
Albany/Emeryville, as well as its sister leagues in Oakland, Piedmont,
and the surrounding Bay Area, have worked tirelessly to advocate,
educate, and champion citizens' informed and active participation in
government and civic affairs.
    An expansive and well-organized network of committed chapters, over
4,000 members in 21 local Leagues comprise the League of Women Voters
of the Bay Area, LWVBA, which took shape in 1959. On a national scale,
the League of Women Voters of the United States, LWVUS, was founded
during the 1920 convention of the National American Woman Suffrage
Association, held just six months before the 19th Amendment was
ratified. Thus, after a 72-year struggle, the U.S. Constitution finally
reflected what women in the Bay Area and California had fought to
achieve a decade earlier.
    As members of the League of Women Voters, you are part of a
magnificent legacy. Additionally, you have pledged to continue to be
the kind of bold pioneers and astute advocates who led us to this
point. Therefore, I would like to thank you for your dedicated service
in guiding and encouraging our community toward civic engagement.
    Moreover, the League has flexed its power in shaping public policy
through the strength of its grassroots organization and by maintaining
its important stance of non-partisanship. For example, the Berkeley,
Albany, Emeryville chapter has worked extensively on advocating for
fair housing and the promotion of social resources, including mental
health, education, juvenile justice, and senior services. Likewise, the
Oakland chapter has been a major advocate for ranked choice voting,
quality education, and accessible housing. And, the Piedmont chapter
holds positions in the areas of social policy, diversity, and natural
resources, to name a few.
    On behalf of the residents of California's 9th Congressional
District, I would like to congratulate you on this milestone and thank
you for the invaluable service you provide to our community. I wish the
League of Women Voters' local, State, and national members all the best
as you forge ahead toward another 100 years of protecting the rights of
voters, promoting sound policy, and creating a more just and peaceful
world.

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